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Connect people in your network

Traci Claussen from the Super Bowl Host Environmental Committee was able to bring together several small businesses and entrepreneurs from her network to make sure that the hundreds of thousands of people descending upon New Orleans leave behind a minimal carbon footprint. Claussen, who owns her own company called REpurposingNOLA, also had a goal to bring light and new business to this small group of emerging entrepreneurs.

REpurposingNOLA created travel bags and other products using over 15,000 feet of fabric from Super Bowl.

Last spring, the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation reached out to Claussen with the challenge of creating practical items using over 15,000 linear feet of banners from Super Bowl XLIV in Miami. The goal was to repurpose the fabric used during New Orleans’ Super Bowl win in 2010 into products in order to help GNOSF raise money for several environmental initiatives, making Super Bowl XLVII the most environmentally-friendly sporting event. Over 3,000 pieces such as travel bags, shower curtains, tailgating aprons, and dog beds were created out of the material, with 70% of those proceeds from the sales going towards the Super Bowl’s environmental initiatives.

Through her commitment to the committee’s environmental projects, Claussen also brought on several other environmentally conscious small businesses to contribute to the cause. New Orleans-based companies Strike It Green and the Green Project will be recycling props, base materials, and carpeting from the Super Bowl sets and events in an effort to bring life to materials that are otherwise thrown out and wasted.

“The collaborations between these like-minded business owners has been so wonderful,” said Claussen. “Everyone involved had been so supportive to each other.”

However, while much of the collaboration in the committee has happened locally, Claussen adds her excitement in welcoming to New Orleans the teams and fans from two American, environmentally forward cities.

Guerilla marketing initiatives

While not all small businesses have the opportunity to work alongside the Host Committee or the NFL, others are eager to take advantage by using more interactive strategies by reaching out to the thousands of fans and visitors.

After wooing the host committee and event organizers with a demonstration of their product, New Orleans-based company, Cool Fruit Sensations, has been given the opportunity to distribute their fresh fruit cocktails to the masses at The NFL Experience theme park, the NFL Tailgate Party, and the NFL and Super Bowl Host Committee’s Media Party. Don Harding, who usually serves up his concoctions at local festivals and private events, understands that being involved with this large event could help him grow his company beyond his local fan-base.

Earlier this month, he graciously told the Times-Picayune, "This is a stage. This is an opportunity for you to get exposure to individuals who can move you forward. You want to have a polished product, because this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."